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Foods That Help Cure Sinusitis!

Foods for SinusitisHave you woken up one morning with terrible pain in your forehead or between your eyes? To add to this agony, you experience a swelling face, stuffy nose and congestion. Your upper teeth hurt and it feels like your head is about to explode! If you have these symptoms, it is an indication of Sinusitis!

What is Sinusitis?

Sinus points are basically air spaces in your skull lined with mucous membranes. Most people have four sets of nasal sinuses.

  1. Two in the forehead above the eyes
  2. One inside each cheekbone
  3. A group of them, called the Ethmoid Sinuses, behind the bridge of the nose
  4. Another group behind the nose and underneath the brain called the Sphenoid Sinuses

These sinus points are like fingerprints. If there is an infection in these points, it leads to a condition called Sinusitis. Basically, it is an inflammation of the sinus cavity due to a virus, bacteria or fungus. Tiny hair-like structures called Cilia move mucus across Sinus Membranes, towards an exit.

All of your sinus cavities connect to your nose to allow a free exchange of air and mucus. Infections or allergies affect the sinus tissues, making them inflamed, red and swollen. But don’t worry, nature is loaded with remedies for most conditions!

Foods That Help Cure Sinusitis

  1. Spicy Foods: Hot spices like pepper, chillis (capsicum), jalapenos, relieve sinus congestion as they help release the mucus that causes a stuffed nose. Spicy foods help in opening the sinus cavity and promote the restoration of normal breathing.
  2. Garlic: contains an enzyme called Allicin that destroys bacteria and viruses that cause Sinusitis.
  3. Vitamin E: found in nuts, seeds and vegetable oils helps you get rid of a sinus congestion.
  4. Zinc: in Lean Meat, Poultry, Licorice and Seafood helps in relieving a congestion.
  5. Warm Herbal Teas: like Peppermint, Ginger, Licorice and Holy Basil (Tulsi) teas are some of the best for your sinuses and throat during a bout of Sinusitis. Tea moistens mucus membrane, helping to clear the sinus network.
  6. Chicken Soup: contains an amino acid called cysteine that causes a runny nose and clears out the nasal congestion.
  7. Leafy Green Veggies, tomatoes, oranges, yellow fruits and veggies contain Vitamin A that helps build a healthy mucus membrane.
  8. Grapefruits, Oranges and Lemon are rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants. Thus, they help clear a sinus congestion. Oxidation damage can contribute to Chronic Sinusitis. Antioxidants protect the mucus membranes from free radical damage.
  9. Pineapple is rich in antioxidants which protect the delicate mucus membranes from damage. Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, breaks down the junk that builds up in sinuses and reduces inflammation.
  10. Coconut Oil is very good at reducing inflammation and also in killing many bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Try oil pulling with a spoonful of coconut oil and you’ll notice your sinuses clear up. Simply swish around a spoonful of it for five to ten minutes and spit it out.
  11. Turmeric/Ginger Root: Turmeric root is wonderful, fragrant and contains natural anti-inflammatory Curcumin. This spice is also an antioxidant. When combined with spicy ginger root and brewed for hot tea, this combination can help loosen mucus from clogged nasal passages, alleviate sinus pressure, and make you feel better all around. Ginger root also has the added bonus of calming an upset stomach – a frequent side-effect of excessive night time sinus drainage.
  12. Apple Cider Vinegar: acts as a boon for sinus infections. Firstly, it is a natural antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory that can kill the destructive microorganisms which cause the infection. Secondly, it helps the body maintain a healthy alkaline pH level, which helps breaking up mucus and discourage the proliferation of the condition.

Worst Foods For a Sinus Infection

  1. Caffeine weakens your adrenal glands and causes sinus congestion
  2. Fried foods/Processed foods containing additives are best avoided during a sinus infection
  3. Foods with high sugar content, especially ice cream, worsen a sinus infection
  4. Refined carbs like bread, pasta, and rice do not help during sinus congestions
  5. Fermented foods like cheese worsen sinus
  6. Starchy heavy foods like noodles are not for people with a sinus problem
  7. Milk is known to worsen a sinus congestion as it thickens mucus and promotes microbial growth
  8. Foods high in saturated fats like egg yolk and meat are to be avoided during a sinus infection

Keep your sinus clean and relax, breathe refresh and stay healthy! We hope this article helped you. Please do leave your thoughts in the comments below!

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“GOQii And I Are Inseparable For Life!” – Madela Bharathi

user journeyThere’s a myth that you can’t be fit and healthy if you’re a homemaker. Some say that it is difficult to look after your own health as you’re so focused on those you want to take care of. But if you have the determination, dedication and drive, nothing can stop you! Well, once you’re already fit, it is all about levelling up, just like our GOQii Player Madela Bharathi.

Madela Bharathi is a homemaker who lives in Vizag. She is 43, married and has two children, 17 and 19 years of age. She had always been fitness conscious and she ate healthy as well. Even as a homemaker, her goal was to get fitter, push her limits and go beyond them!

Already Fit? Level Up! 

In August 2018, she got introduced to GOQii through her husband who is an employee at HPCL. They both wanted to participate in the GOQii Corporate Steps Challenge at HPCL. As a part of the onboarding process, she set her long term goals – to stay fit, live disease-free and improve sleep.

When she joined GOQii, her sole motive was to win the Corporate Steps Challenge at HPCL. She used to clock in 50k steps everyday. Walking had become an obsession for her as she wanted to be among the top 10 participants. Her routine only revolved around household chores and walking.

Although her family wasn’t pleased with her walking all day for the challenge, it didn’t deter her motivation to be on top! She saw this as a challenge she wanted to complete, a challenge she wanted to ace without looking back!

As a result, between August 2018 to December 2018, she reduced her weight from 52kg to 49.5kg. Seeing that there was no stopping her, her GOQii Coach asked her to increase her protein intake. She was advised to eat 6 eggs and Sattu along with normal home cooked meals.

During this time, her D3 and B12 levels had dropped and she was asked to take supplements for the same for 6 months.

Crushing Goals and Being on Top! 

In November 2018, Madela Bharathi stood 7th place among the HPCL employees who had participated in the challenge. By December 2018, she was the only woman in the top 10. She stood 1st in Vizag and 2nd in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

She had even participated in the India Steps Challenge but was asked to stop walking completely by her GOQii Coach. That did not stop her from claiming 2 GOQii Vitals for herself!

Current Regime and Habits 

As of now, fitness continues to be an addiction for Madela Bharathi. She works out watching GOQii Play Coach Aliya Imran’s classes within the GOQii app in the morning and evening. She used to be regular on all classes, tuning in and working out but has limited herself to ensure that she doesn’t overtrain and hurt herself.

Madela can hold an elbow plank for 5 minutes and 40 seconds, although she has challenged herself to extend it to 8 minutes. She practices deep breathing techniques suggested by GOQii Play Coach and Yoga Specialist Ronak Gajjar. Thanks to this, her sleep quality has improved immensely.

Her current habits include eating Halim Seeds soaked in water overnight, as soon as she wakes up. She eats a fruit before a workout and a dry fruits milkshake after. She also consumes Whey Protein Isolate and Sattu every alternate day.

What Are Her Thoughts on GOQii?

Madela Bharathi thoroughly enjoys Coach Aliya’s classes. She says that Coach Aliya has been the guiding force behind her motivation to stay fit, accept challenges and constantly keep pushing her limits.

She is happy with her GOQii Coach’s suggestions on nutrition. Consulting with her GOQii Coach helped her regularize her workout regime, got her aware about the nuances of different exercises, form, posture and nutritional support, etc.

“GOQii and I are inseparable for life now,” she says. Even though her husband discontinued with GOQii after the HPCL challenge, she has chosen to stick with GOQii, further adding that, “GOQii has become a means for me to do what I love best. I get all the guidance and information from coaches and cannot ask for anything more!”

Her future plan is to run a marathon and wishes to train for the same.

What Did Her GOQii Coach Have to Say? 

Madela Bharathi is a perfect example of the quote, “Don’t Limit your Challenges, Challenge your Limits!” An enthusiastic woman who joined GOQii to challenge her active lifestyle and work on gaining some muscle mass to take her fitness to the next level.

Madela is a very disciplined woman who is always motivated to try a new habit every time. Be it healthy eating, or level up for workouts, she has always done an excellent job and done justice to the habit, which has definitely helped her in reaching her milestones.

She has always been regular with updating logs and activities on app with all her honesty. She always took my suggestions seriously and made sure that every call done ends up being fruitful. Madela, you truly are an inspiration to today’s women. No matter what the age, it is all about dedication.

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Aspire! Achieve! Inspire! Harit Panchal User Journey

Harit Panchal User Journey

Being healthy is not a race, it is a marathon. As we all know, running a marathon is no easy task. If you’re not prepared or willing to learn, it can get extremely difficult. More often than not, when you want to push your game to the next level, you will need help. Harit Panchal knew this and decided to take a step on to the next level with GOQii.

Living Healthy From Day One

Weighing around 85 kg, Harit Panchal had always been mindful about his eating habits and fitness. Walking and/or jogging have been a part of his routine forever! His family is also mindful about their diet. They do not eat junk food or takeaways, use very little oil and sugar. Thanks to this habit, no one from his family suffers from health issues.

Taking It Up a Notch!  

In March 2017, Harit Panchal was introduced to GOQii by a friend, since he was always interested in fitness. Harit wanted to run marathons as well and shared this determination with his new GOQii Coach.

His GOQii Coach introduced him to healthy habits that he had to follow. He woke up every morning and was asked to drink warm water with lemon, honey and turmeric powder. Before he began with Pranayama, he was asked to consume soaked nuts. He performs breathing exercises for around 40 minutes everyday.

His breakfast was a traditional one, consisting of upma, poha, idli and thepla, etc. Lunch was a traditional affair as well, consisting of Dal, Rice, Roti and Vegetables. He began including fruits as mid meal snacks. His dinner was similar to his lunch but was light.

Biscuits were his weakness earlier. He stopped consuming them completely. As of today, he completes more than 10k steps. Has begun with planks and can hold it for 1 minute, 20 seconds.

Thanks to the change in his habits, he was able to reduce 11kg in the past 2 years. How he weighs on 74kg and is quite healthier and fitter than before. He has also participated in 2 marathons since joining GOQii – a 21km and 10km in 2018. For his mental health and to maintain a hobby after his retirement last year, Harit Panchal took up watercolor painting – an activity he was passionate about since childhood.

Being the Change

Harit is quite regular with blood donations. On his 50th birthday, he had completed 50 blood donations. At the age of 59 today, he has donated blood for the 74th time. He did so on World Blood Donation Day.

Harit Panchal is a volunteer for an NGO which serves subsidised food to the relatives of patients admitted in KEM Hospital, Parel. He easily spends around 30-45 min every thursday distributing food. Apart from this, he also volunteers for a charitable cause for juvenile prisoners. Volunteering here involves inculcating good habits in juvenile prisoners, creating cultural awareness, prayers and other fun activities.

Earlier this year, he participated in the India Steps Challenge and claimed a backpack and shopping bags as gifts. He was among the top 1000 players of ISC.

When asked about GOQii, he said that he appreciates the contribution of his coaches towards his increased awareness about health and fitness, the guidance he received for marathon training as well as the constant follow up through calls and chats. His endeavour is to stay fit, participate in a marathon every year and live disease-free with the help and guidance from his GOQii Coach!

To know more about Harit Panchal’s story, join him LIVE on GOQii Play this Sunday at 11 AM!

#BeTheForce

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Pleasuring Yourself: Is it Good and Healthy? Part I

masturbation myths and benefits

Kanika is studying in college. In her biology class, she read that stimulation of the clitoris leads to pleasure. While many of her friends studied and forgot about it, Kanika decided to try it out… and it worked! In fact, it worked wonderfully well! Gradually, she started doing it whenever she felt the urge and it felt blissful!

Kanika masturbates and it is perfectly normal and healthy. Masturbation is the sexual stimulation of one’s own genitals for sexual arousal or other sexual pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation may involve hands, fingers, everyday objects, sex toys or combinations of these. It is frequent and common among both sexes and all ages and for many, it is the first sexual encounter.

Here is What Happens in the Body When You Masturbate

1. The Genital Area: When you start becoming aroused, several physical responses occur, including an increased heart rate, faster breathing, and increased blood flow through the body, including the skin. Muscles contract, and with the increased blood flow, genital organs such as the clitoris get bigger, in a male, the penis is enlarged. In a woman, the vaginal wall becomes more lubricated and the uterus even moves position to create space for penetration.

2. The Brain: It is said that the orgasm happens in the brain and physiology is a small part! The prefrontal cortex of the brain in women appears to be more active during masturbation than sex, which appears to happen when touches are imagined rather than felt. This is seen much more in women. As stimulation continues, the nerves in that area also become more responsive. Touching the erogenous parts of the body initiates the physiological responses described above. If sustained, usually leads to orgasm in most people.

Within the brain there is an increase in hormones, including dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin as you start masturbating. These are ‘feel good’ hormones, which reduce feelings of stress, and increase feelings of bonding between individuals. During masturbation, it is just you!

3. Blood: There is an increase in blood cells that help fight infections. In one small study, sexually active women had higher immunoglobulin G (IgG) at ovulation than sexually abstinent women. IgG is an antibody response and is the most common antibody expressed in blood. It acts directly on pathogens by either paralysing target cells or by immobilising them and marking them for disposal.

Why is it good for Health?

  1. It’s good for you! Literally! It is FINE to masturbate and release that pent up energy. An excessive of it is not! Read more in the next article. The hormones dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin are released during masturbation. These are ‘feel good’ hormones, which reduce feelings of stress, and increase feelings of bonding between individuals. During masturbation, it makes you feel fulfilled. (Not undermining your partner here but this feeling comes up in many!). A study found a 74.6% increase in pain tolerance with masturbation, and pain detection ability increased by 106.7% due to the release of related hormones.
  2. It is an exercise since the increased blood flow and muscle contractions during masturbation helps to exercise the pelvic floor effectively.
  3. Cleaner vagina: Since the secretions from the vagina during and post orgasm keep it clean and at a normal acid-base level, thus decreasing the risk of infections, and the increased lubrication.
  4. A beautiful fire lights up the brain: The hippocampus, amygdala, cerebellum and hypothalamus combine to get you to your peak. In a female, during masturbation, the brain’s prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain heavily associated with creative thinking turns up the volume. In the case of partner sex, it seemed that certain elements of it are actually turned off, specifically the part that seems responsible for self-control, overtime for you.
  5. Becoming sexually aware: Masturbation also helps you figure out what you like sexually. Where do you like to be touched, stimulated. This can help you guide your partner if any.
  6. There are speculations of reduced prostate cancer with frequent ejaculation.
  7. It might help some men to practice solo and then with a partner. It might help you to understand how long it takes you to orgasm.

Well, coming back to Kanika, she read this article, and had the following questions. And we are here to help her

Kanika: Will my partner know that I masturbate? Is it correct to masturbate even though I have a partner?

Me: Your partner will never know unless you tell and pleasuring yourself is fine! Don’t be guilty, just enjoy!

Kanika: Will I lose my sex drive in the long run?

Me: There is nothing scientific about losing your sex drive because of masturbation. But yes, since you release the energy, many people report that the urge to be physical with the partner reduces. But for many, the physical act is equally important.

Kanika: Is it okay for women to masturbate?

Me: Yes. Yes. Yes.

Kanika: My friend seems to be addicted to masturbation. How do I know if I am addicted? How much masturbation is good or bad?

Me: That’s tricky.  Let us look at it in detail.

Stay tuned for the next article!

#BeTheForce

From Terminal Illness To Complete Wellness! Ananda Mukherjee Health Story

As we observe World Cancer Day under the powerful theme ‘United by Unique’ (2025-2027)**, we are reminded that every individual’s journey with cancer is distinct, yet united by shared resilience, hope, and the collective fight against this disease. This theme places people at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the […]